Trump invokes Cold War law in move to boost energy supply
Axios·60-word summary·1 min read
On April 17, 2026, President Trump invoked the Cold War-era Defense Production Act to boost U.S. energy supply amid high gasoline and power costs. The move allows the Energy Department to accelerate domestic production of fuels, electricity, and critical infrastructure, citing supply chain constraints and infrastructure bottlenecks. This marks a continuation of the law's use for national security and economic stability.
Vice President Vance is scheduled to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday for talks with Iran aimed at ending the war, as the ceasefire deadline approaches. The U.S. is under pressure from President Trump, who has threatened to target Iranian infrastructure if no deal is reached. Iran's negotiators reportedly waited for approval from their supreme leader before proceeding. The outcome remains uncertain.
President Trump indicated he is “unlikely” to extend the ceasefire as the deadline for a nuclear deal with Iran approaches. Trump is urging the Iranian regime to agree to new terms, but no extension is expected. The situation remains tense as negotiations continue, with the potential for increased conflict if an agreement is not reached before the deadline.
The FBI is investigating whether the missing and deceased scientists, at least ten in number, are connected, following increased online speculation. President Trump highlighted the cases, prompting the FBI to lead the inquiry. As of now, no evidence links the cases, and the investigation remains ongoing. The cases have garnered significant attention, raising concerns about potential patterns.
Anthropic is partnering with Amazon, committing over $100 billion in the next decade to secure up to 5 gigawatts of computing capacity for AI training and deployment. Amazon will invest $5 billion initially, with the possibility of up to $20 billion more. This move underscores the importance of compute power in the AI race, rivaling OpenAI’s infrastructure investments.
Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-N.J.) was sworn in on April 17, filling Sherrill’s seat and further narrowing the GOP House majority. She defeated Republican Joe Hathaway in a special election last week, representing New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. Mejia, a former aide to Bernie Sanders’s 2020 campaign,’s victory shifts the balance slightly in the House.
On April 17, 2026, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) introduced a resolution to expel Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) from Congress amid multiple allegations. The House Ethics Committee is investigating Mills for potential campaign finance violations, misuse of resources, sexual misconduct, and receiving special favors. The resolution aims to address these serious accusations and uphold congressional standards.
